So does anyone care to share how they found out about or got involved with IFI?

I had heard about it but forgot until I was trying to find information about getting my Canedy Otto forge blower back in working order, and found a thread about it here through a google search. From there I started reading it on and off for months, before I finally joined.

I had taken a 6 week class (2 hrs per week) at a local historic site, and found a rivet forge on CL. I asked about it at a builders forum I was involved in, and one of the guys referred me to IFI. The rest is history.

Steve

I was trying to get back into smithing after a long hiatus and found IFI through a google search for coffee-can forges. Once I learned how to do my research before asking dumb questions or reinventing the square wheel, everything has gone very well. 

Google search

I was tolling the internet looking for Blacksmithing places and IFI popped up, I spent an hr. looking through the site and joined to see more that night.  over 3 yrs ago now enjoyed every time I've been on and have met many neat people here.  Unless I'm in the bush away from electricity and internet I check it a couple times a day.  Most educational place I have found.

I was looking for a simple forge build that did not involve brake drums and stumbled on a long rant from an ex member on some random forum, badmouthing everyone and their dog. I was bemused and thought if they got rid of him, then it must be a good place

IIRC IFI got mentioned on another forum or maybe email list I used to haunt, I took a look and here I am. I don't hang on other fora since the accident, I have enough trouble keeping track of what's going on here.

Frosty The Lucky.

I did a Google search about a bench grinder and a discussion came up on IFI after reading it is joined up and now look at it daily.

Kept seeing it pop up when searching for various blacksmithing things. I had to join after reaching the limit of seeing anvils people bought that nobody knew the brand. Now I finally get to see why I'm wrong!

I landed here after a recomendation from Iron Dwarf.

yes, I am to blame for smoggy

and stephen jones and many others

All I can remember is  that I fell upon it, somehow, and never got up again …

I was kidnapped from Anvil-fire and they kept me chained in the cellar to pump the bellows for Glenn.... I tried to get away ... didnt work, I could not get away, and then finally Stockholm Syndrome set in and now I am a lifer

Popped up in my search engine after someone gave me the idea that I could forge my own woodworking tools, wasnt much for forums but glad I joined , great decision!

Can't remember, but it was 2005 when I joined, so I may be forgiven.

anvilfire off slack Tub Chat -- AND- they did Pic's

i knew of it for a while before i joined. it kept poping up in google searches for blacksmithing related stuff. sure glad i joined, its an awesome forum.

Don't recall---seems like it's been years!

Searched "blacksmith forums" in google. 

was pointed this way by divermike

When I meet new people at a demo and hand them my card I have them write the url for IFI on the back of it...

I probably should just get cards with "suggested reading" books and "websites" printed on the back....

I  have such cards and also have the URL on the instructions for my forges

Can't really remember. It was a  while ago. I think I was googling for some blacksmith project ideas and the site popped up. I'm glad it did, as I have learned a lot and have hopefully shared a few ideas too.

17 minutes ago, ausfire said:

I'm glad it did, as I have learned a lot and have hopefully shared a few ideas too.

Aus you have inspired me and many others. Shared ideas and inspired. Thank you, and everyone else here. 

Myself, I found IFI through searches while trying to improve my blacksmithing and found so much more then the pinpoint idea I was looking for.